USS New York back in Mayport after mission to capture Benghazi suspect

The USS New York arrived at Mayport Naval Station, the new home port for the state of the art amphibious transport dock that is part of an amphibious readiness group to be stationed in Jacksonville. Bob.Self@jacksonville.com

After transporting the suspected terrorist behind the September 11, 2012, attacks on the U.S. diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, the USS New York is now back at Mayport Naval Station.

Ahmed Abu Khattala was flown off the New York to Washington on Saturday and was arraigned in federal court.

The ship arrived Monday after taking part in perhaps the most high-profile U.S. military anti-terrorism operation since the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011.

However, instead of waving flags, cheering family members and brass bands, the ship slipped quietly into port after days of an Internet blackout for its crew.

The mission underscores the growing role of ships like the New York. With its relatively small size and ability to land small forces of troops ashore by vehicles or aircraft, the a [sic] amphibious transport dock ships are ideal for such small-scale operations.

In mid-June, the USS Mesa Verde was sent to waters off Iraq to provide mission flexibility there.

For now the Navy is keeping a tight lid on details of the mission and what it meant to the crew to take part in it.